Opera in five acts
Libretto by François Joseph Méry and Camille du Locle
(Translation: Achille de Lauzières-Thémines and Angelo Zanardini)
First performed March 11th 1867, Opera Paris, first performance of the revised five act italian version December 26th 1886, Teatro Municipale, Modena

David McVicar was clear from the word go that he could only direct Don Carlo in the five act edition because only this make ...

David McVicar was clear from the word go that he could only direct Don Carlo in the five act edition because only this makes it clear just how much contraints govern private happiness and public duty. One can only understand Elisabeth and Carlos’ behaviour when it is clear their dream of love is destroyed by politics. The costumes in this production are absolutely stunning.

Synopsis

Carlo, heir to the Spanish throne is miserable because his father, Philip II, has married Princess Elisabeth of France, to whom he ...

Carlo, heir to the Spanish throne is miserable because his father, Philip II, has married Princess Elisabeth of France, to whom he had been betrothed, and continues to deny him political influence. Elisabeth, who loved Carlo, only agreed to the marriage to make peace between the two countries. Rodrigo, Marquis of Posa, suggests that Carlo try to forget his love by taking up the suppressed people of Flanders’ cause. The King, finding his Queen alone, suspects her of infidelity and asks Posa to watch her. Princess Eboli, in love with Carlos, realises that he is in love with the Queen and swears revenge. Carlos draws his sword when his father refuses to let him rule in Flanders and is put in prison. The Grand Inquisitor demands that the King kill his son and hand Posa over as a heritic. The King confronts Elisabeth with a portrait of Carlo that he found in her jewel casket. Eboli confesses that it was she who gave the casket to the King, and is banished to a convent by the Queen. Posa visits Carlos in prison and tells him that all now believe him to be the leader of the Flemish rebels. Before Posa is shot he tells Carlos that the Queen will meet him the next day to say farewell. They are caught by the King and the Grand Inquisitor but before they can take him before the inquisition an unearthly force connected to Charles V intervenes and removes Carlos from earthly jurisdiction.